Go ahead for new nursing home and church

PLANNING permission has been granted for a brand new multi-million pound care home and church in Seymour Hill.

The go ahead has been given for the development of a 76 bed nursing care home and replacement church at St Hilda's Church of Ireland in the estate.

Mr Gilbert Yates, Managing Director of the Primecare Group stated: "These prestigious buildings will act as a catalyst in stimulating new life in the community and bring much needed employment to the area.

"We are delighted once again to have secured the services of Eddie Weir Architectural Design Partnership to oversee the project from inception to completion."

The development has been welcomed by Lagan Valley MLA Jonathan Craig, who met with the architects this week to discuss the plans. "I wholeheartedly welcome this investment into Dunmurry. This is worth in the region of 5 million, which is most welcome during the economic downturn.

"It will create up to 90 jobs for the local construction industry. All jobs will be kept local, which I have to welcome. This is a commitment made by Prime Care during my discussions with them. In addition to this 70-80 jobs will also be created for those working within the health care sector.

"I have been assured there will be a local jobs fair run next Easter in order to ensure that local people, from Dunmurry and within the constituency of Lagan Valley, have every opportunity to apply. This will be run in conjunction with the local community groups and it is good to see that Prime Care does believe in working with local community groups and in ensuring that they employ locally.

"Prime care will provide a mini bus service for staff, which will pick them up to bring them to work and leave them home therefore limiting pressure on the car park which will be primarily for visitors and church members," he continued. "This I welcome as this was one of the concerns held by local residents' and myself. I am pleased that we have had this resolved with thanks to Prime Care."

Dunmurry Councillor, Margaret Tolerton, also welcomed the investment. "I believe this is a positive news story for the people of Dunmurry as it will create up to 170 jobs in both the local construction industry and health care sector," she said. "This home will provide a local home for local people in need for care. I think that this is good for potential clients and for the local community as it is imperative that we provide for the sick and vulnerable." The Primecare Group are fast becoming Northern Ireland's premier provider of quality nursing homes with no less than four new similar developments planned for 2011.

Building work on the development by the Primecare Group is expected to begin in the New Year. Above: Eddie Weir, from ADP Architects; Rev David Boyland, rector of St Hilda's Church of Ireland; Bertie Brown, select vestry at St Hilda's; Cllr Margaret Tolerton and Jonathan Craig MLA looking over plans to replace the church building with a new care home. US4910-517cd